During the winter when outside temperatures head lower, most indoor air
temperatures run lower also. Low light for indoor plants is a whole other area
you and your houseplants must deal with.

Depending on where you live lower light may come from the change of bringing your houseplants
inside; lower air temperatures may come from turning off the air conditioning
and firing up the heater.

The remedy for low light on your indoor plants may come down to moving the
plant. Air temperature may not be as obvious.

We all can find a place in our home where the room stays warmer or colder than
other parts of the house. Do not assume that since the thermostat reads 72
degrees the whole house keeps that temperature in the indoor space.

The simple fact on indoor air temperatures - they are very often variable.

Houseplants when grown in their native surroundings experience short-term
temperature swings - day verses night. These same plants when introduced to the
“alien” growing conditions of a nursery or interior can face 4 different
temperatures ranges:

- Cold

- Cool

- Warm

- Hot

Most people find temperatures in the 60 - 80 degree range comfortable. Similar
air temperatures are found in the tropical areas where most our indoor plants
are native to.

Temperature usually is not an issue with your indoor environment, but you should
be aware of the subtle temperature differences throughout indoor spaces.
Hallways, large rooms, doors, windows and different exposures can affect the
temperature of your indoor “microclimate.”

Winter may be here, and just as cold temperatures can be a problem, remember
your house plants can face heat problems as well. Dry heat from heating vents or
people moving the blinds to give houseplants as much direct light as possible -
can lead to heat stress.

Heat Stress - What Does It Look Like

Heat stress may cause leaves to turn yellow. The tips and edges of leaves can
become dry, spindly or stretched growth can occur. The dry warm conditions make
for a perfect environment for spider mites. Sometimes the only and best remedy
for the cold and hot problem is simple: Move the plant!!!

These lower temperatures translate into lower transpiration and less water loss.
In general, try to eliminate wide temperature swings and monitor your plants for
any changes that you may notice, both leaves and roots.

Many times we focus on air temperatures only. But, healthy houseplants can
handle lower room or air temperatures - if the soil area stays warm.

Remember - the root system is the machine that moves everything around in the
plant. At the nursery during the fall season a quick dip in temperatures is
fine. But a period of 3 - 4 days when temperatures do not warm up and soil
temperatures go down into the low 60 degree area, plants can take weeks to
regain the vigor.

Greenhouses equipped with heated floors can lower air temperatures since the
root and soil areas stay warm.

Remember around the house you have the freedom to move if the temperatures do
not meet your comfort level, your plants do not have the same freedom.

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